DNA data bank to help track down criminals
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-11-28 09:03

China is preparing its first DNA data bank to help police track down serious criminals such as rapists and murderers.

News of the plans emerged at an international seminar on the use of DNA as legal evidence, the Beijing Morning Post reported.

"In about 60 percent of violent crime cases, the perpetrators leave behind genetic evidence," an unnamed expert told the paper. "In rapes, the figure is 95 percent."

Currently, DNA is only used as evidence in about 10 percent of criminal cases in China, the expert said.

DNA is gradually being more widely used by Asian countries as they seek to fight crime.

Earlier this year, Thailand said it would begin gathering DNA samples from convicts before their release in a bid to deter them from re-offending.

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